The war began.
Not a skirmish.
Not a rescue operation anymore.
An actual war.
The moment the Daedalus revealed itself fully above the island—
The sea surrounding the kingdom erupted into chaos.
BOOOOOOM.
The thunderous sound of Kodiak battleship cannons shook the heavens themselves.
Massive artillery fire illuminated the horizon while Siren fleets attempting approach were immediately engulfed in explosions.
The ocean burned.
Shockwaves rolled across the sea endlessly.
Above—
Firehawk squadrons screamed through the skies like metallic predators.
Missiles rained downward.
Orcas descended into bombing runs.
Entire Siren formations vanished beneath overwhelming aerial bombardment.
Meanwhile—
On the eastern sector—
Wales calmly coordinated battlefield movements through tactical displays.
"All batteries."
"Target the second Siren formation."
Then elegantly—
"Fire."
The eastern sea erupted in flames instantly.
Siren warships exploded one after another beneath concentrated Kodiak railgun bombardment.
No vessel even reached firing distance.
On the western front—
Avrora stood gracefully beneath holographic projections while explosions reflected beautifully in her crimson eyes.
"You should not have approached this island."
Then softly smiling—
"Beloved's skies belong to us now."
Her Firehawks tore through Siren aircraft formations mercilessly.
Entire enemy squadrons vanished within moments.
Meanwhile—
Akagi absolutely thrived in the chaos.
"Hahahahaha!"
Golden flames illuminated the skies around her aircraft formations.
"Burn!"
"Burn for Shikikan-sama!"
Her Firehawk Mark IV squadrons slaughtered Siren air units relentlessly across the northern and southern sectors.
Missiles exploded like fireworks around her.
Any enemy aircraft attempting approach disappeared beneath overwhelming anti-air superiority.
Even Sirens began retreating from her airspace.
Kaga meanwhile looked almost disappointed.
"…Pathetic."
Her Orca bomber formations unleashed devastating payloads upon Siren naval lines.
Entire fleets disappeared beneath carpet bombardments.
One Siren cruiser attempted evasive maneuvers.
Kaga quietly watched the tactical feed.
"…Too slow."
Moments later—
The cruiser vanished beneath a precision bombing strike.
Meanwhile—
San Diego stood atop one of the Daedalus firing platforms looking absurdly happy.
"WOOO!"
Railguns thundered around her while anti-air cannons shredded incoming hostiles.
"This is AWESOME!"
One missile salvo launched behind her toward distant enemy ships.
Several Siren destroyers exploded instantly afterward.
Then—
"Eldridge…"
The small destroyer quietly raised her hand.
"…Big zap."
The four Tesla cannons beneath the Daedalus fired simultaneously.
VWWWWWWWWMMM.
A gigantic sphere of lightning erupted across the western ocean.
Then detonated.
Entire Siren formations disappeared instantly beneath overwhelming electrical discharge.
Dozens of enemy ships simply ceased functioning altogether.
Even the surviving Sirens visibly scattered afterward.
Meanwhile—
Vestal descended toward the island alongside Legion support units and the Bulin sisters.
The Legions resembled flying iron warriors descending from heaven itself.
Repulsor thrusters illuminated the darkened streets while civilians stared upward in awe.
"Nyaa! Over here, nyaa!"
Akashi waved frantically from the hidden hovercraft.
One Legion immediately picked her up before rejoining the rescue operation.
Soon—
Legions spread throughout the city streets rapidly.
Some escorted civilians underground.
Others engaged low-class Raptures directly.
Repulsor blasts echoed through the city while metallic soldiers protected evacuation lines.
The city had descended into chaos.
Explosions echoed across distant shores.
Sirens burned in the surrounding seas.
Raptures stalked through shattered streets.
Yet amidst all of it—
Another scene unfolded simultaneously.
One far quieter.
Far kinder.
The Bulin sisters hurried through the streets carrying injured civilians toward underground shelters as fast as their tiny bodies allowed.
"Buli! Careful!"
"Another injured person over there, buli!"
Despite the fear surrounding them—
The Bulins still worked tirelessly helping everyone they could reach.
Meanwhile—
Vestal moved through the ruined streets like a battlefield angel.
Red electrical energy surged from her weapon systems—
Destroying approaching low-class Raptures instantly.
One machine lunged toward a group of trapped civilians.
CRACK.
A bolt of crimson electricity pierced directly through its core.
The Rapture collapsed immediately.
But unlike ordinary combat medics—
Vestal's gizmo repair systems possessed another function too.
Soft blue electrical energy gently flowed from her hands afterward toward the wounded civilians.
Broken bones stabilized.
Bleeding stopped.
Burn injuries visibly faded.
Several civilians stared at her in disbelief.
"…Healing…"
"…That's impossible…"
Vestal softly smiled while continuing treatment calmly.
"You're safe now."
Nearby—
Akashi moved just as quickly between groups of civilians.
"Nyaa! Hold still!"
Blue holographic medical interfaces surrounded her while drones rapidly scanned injuries.
One child with severe burns cried softly.
Moments later—
Akashi's advanced medical gizmo beam completely restored the damaged skin.
The child blinked in shock afterward.
"…It doesn't hurt anymore…"
"Nyaaa!"
Akashi proudly puffed her chest.
"Akashi is amazing, nya!"
Soon—
People throughout the shelters began realizing something strange.
The newcomers possessing impossible weapons and floating warships—
Were risking themselves not for conquest.
But to save complete strangers.
Legions escorted elderly civilians safely underground.
Bulins carried children.
Vestal healed the wounded.
Akashi treated trauma victims nonstop.
And above all—
The GDI fleet continued holding back the apocalypse overhead.
Even the king himself quietly observed the evacuation efforts from one of the underground shelter entrances.
Then softly—
"…They truly came to protect us."
Not rule.
Not demand payment.
Not conquer.
Protect.
===============
Yuuki rapidly assessed the battlefield while explosions continued throughout the island.
Rapture numbers were increasing.
Sirens continued attempting landfall.
Everyone needed heavier firepower immediately.
"Rapi. Anis. Takao. Atago."
The four immediately turned toward him.
"Continue long-range suppression."
Then several weapon cases materialized beside Yuuki through dimensional storage.
Advanced GDI heavy weaponry unfolded instantly.
"Switch your silenced sniper rifles with these."
Four massive N72 Rocket and Missile Launchers appeared before the sniper team.
Heavy lock-on systems.
Multi-target tracking.
Anti-armor payloads.
The launchers looked powerful enough to destroy armored convoys by themselves.
Fortunately—
The four already had experience using GDI systems.
Anis immediately grinned.
"Now THIS is my kind of weapon."
Her helmet materialized around her face afterward.
Rapi calmly lifted the launcher onto her shoulder.
"Target acquisition ready."
Takao inspected the launcher carefully.
"…Remarkably efficient."
Atago softly smiled.
"My, these are exciting."
Then—
Yuuki turned toward Yorktown, Enterprise, Belfast, and Illustrious.
Four additional weapons materialized beside him.
Volt Auto Rifles.
And Personal Ion Cannons Mark II.
Blue energy pulsed across the weapons smoothly.
"You girls can handle these properly now."
Then calmly—
"Use them."
Enterprise immediately took one of the Ion Cannons.
"…High-output energy weapon."
Yorktown checked the balance of the Volt Rifle.
"Feels stable."
Belfast elegantly examined her weapon.
"Master truly enjoys arming us."
Illustrious softly smiled while energy gathered across her cannon.
"This should prove most effective."
Then—
Yuuki materialized two massive Tarantula Laser Chain Guns.
He handed them directly toward Ade and Soda.
The two maids visibly widened their eyes.
"W-Wait…"
"These are for us?!"
Yuuki casually nodded.
"Your frames can handle the recoil."
The two Nikke maids immediately looked excited.
The chain guns hummed heavily as the rotating barrels powered up.
Soda nearly sparkled.
"So cool…"
Finally—
Yuuki produced six sleek Firefly Laser Rifles Mark II.
Compact.
Reliable.
Extremely effective against lower-class Raptures.
He distributed them toward:
Neon,
Laffey,
Nimi,
Unicorn,
Cocoa,
and Javelin.
The girls immediately reacted.
Neon practically lit up.
"Hoho! I missed this rifle!"
Then dramatically—
"Commander truly understands firepower!"
Javelin carefully held her rifle afterward while admiring the futuristic design.
"This is lighter than expected…"
Cocoa quietly inspected hers too.
"…Advanced stabilization systems…"
Even Nayuta quietly observed the equipment with fascination.
"Verily… thy craftsmanship surpasseth imagination itself."
Esche floated beside her softly glowing.
"Such wondrous weapons forged not for conquest… but protection."
And all across the island—
The newly armed task force prepared for full counteroffensive operations.
"I am authorizing grappling functionality."
Yuuki pointed toward the taller ruined buildings surrounding the battlefield.
"Use them for vertical mobility and elevated firing positions."
The sniper team immediately activated the feature.
Mechanical launchers unfolded from their suits.
THUNK.
Grappling cables fired upward instantly.
Rapi smoothly ascended first with practiced efficiency.
Takao followed with calm precision.
Atago gracefully swung upward afterward.
Then—
There was Anis.
"WOOOO!"
Yuuki visibly paused watching her swing across two buildings unnecessarily.
"…Anis."
"What?! This is awesome!"
Even Rapi looked mildly exasperated seeing Anis deliberately swinging back and forth instead of taking the direct route.
"…Focus on the mission."
"I AM focused."
Another swing.
"…On fun."
Meanwhile—
Yuuki pulled several metallic capsules from storage afterward.
Then casually tossed them onto the battlefield.
The capsules expanded instantly upon impact.
Heavy mechanical sounds echoed throughout the streets.
Then—
Massive armored vehicles materialized.
The first—
A single T-740 heavy hover tank.
The surrounding girls visibly froze looking at it.
The machine looked monstrous.
Far larger and more advanced than anything the island had ever seen.
Heavy-lift turboengines glowed beneath its armored chassis allowing it to hover slightly above the ground.
The massive smoothbore cannon slowly rotated while dual rocket pods unfolded from both sides of the cockpit.
Beneath the main gun—
An EMP cannon charged with blue energy.
And surrounding the vehicle—
The Trophy defense system activated automatically.
Its titanium carbide armor reflected the burning city lights like a fortress on its own.
Neon immediately screamed.
"FIREPOWER!!!"
Even Hipper visibly stared.
"…That's a tank?"
Eugen slowly blinked.
"…No."
"That's a mobile apocalypse."
The hover tank engines roared softly as the T-740 floated forward into combat position.
Then—
Two additional capsules expanded beside it.
Revealing two Pitbull scout vehicles.
Smaller.
Faster.
Deadly.
Missile systems unfolded across their sides while advanced targeting sensors scanned the battlefield instantly.
The Pitbulls immediately began locking onto incoming Rapture signatures.
Takao observed the vehicles carefully from above.
"…Extremely advanced reconnaissance units."
Rapi quietly nodded.
"They specialize in mobility and anti-armor suppression."
"Nimi."
Yuuki pointed toward the massive T-740 hover tank.
"You drive."
Nimi immediately looked toward the vehicle again.
Then slowly nodded.
"Understood, Herr Kommandant."
"Neon."
Yuuki turned toward the excited Nikke.
"You handle the weapons systems."
Neon's eyes practically sparkled.
"YES."
Yuuki continued calmly.
"Main cannon."
"EMP cannon."
"Rocket pods."
"Swarm missiles."
"Switch depending on the target."
Neon immediately pointed dramatically toward him.
"Thank you, Commander!"
Then loudly—
"That's why I love you!"
Several girls immediately looked toward her.
Rapi sighed.
"…There it is."
Anis laughed from atop a rooftop.
"She finally said it openly."
Neon meanwhile already climbed onto the T-740 excitedly.
"I CALL SHOTGUN."
Nimi quietly sighed before entering the driver controls.
"…Please don't press random buttons."
"No promises."
Then—
"Laffey."
The sleepy destroyer slowly looked up.
"You're navigator."
"…Okay."
Yuuki immediately narrowed his eyes.
"And don't fall asleep."
Laffey blinked once.
"…Laffey will try."
No one looked reassured.
"Unicorn."
The small carrier carefully looked toward him.
"Y-Yes… big brother?"
"You handle the auto-cannons."
Unicorn immediately nodded.
"Unicorn will do her best."
Then—
Yuuki turned toward Javelin and Cocoa.
"Each of you take a Pitbull."
The two girls blinked.
Yuuki casually continued explaining.
"Missiles."
"Grenade launchers."
"M134 Vulcan miniguns."
Then lightly smiling—
"Do your worst."
Javelin immediately looked determined.
"Yes, Commander!"
Cocoa gripped her rifle tighter before nodding too.
"I'll protect everyone."
The two Pitbull scout vehicles activated beside them afterward.
Missile pods unfolded.
Minigun barrels spun briefly.
Advanced targeting systems illuminated the cockpit interiors.
Even the girls themselves looked amazed entering the vehicles.
Meanwhile—
Yuuki finally looked toward:
Yorktown,
Enterprise,
Belfast,
Illustrious,
Ade,
and Soda.
"As for you six…"
Another set of capsules materialized beside him.
Then unfolded into sleek combat motorcycles.
Recon Raptor Bikes.
Fast.
Aggressive.
Deadly.
Twin Dragon TOW missile launchers mounted on each side.
Four forward-facing machine guns integrated into the chassis.
Modified from older Nod Recon Bike designs—
But stabilized heavily to avoid tumbling during combat maneuvers.
Crystal shield systems shimmered faintly around the bikes.
Enterprise immediately inspected one.
"…High-speed assault mobility."
Yorktown lightly touched the shield projector.
"These are advanced even by GDI standards."
Belfast elegantly mounted one without hesitation.
"Master certainly enjoyed arming his maids."
Soda looked extremely excited already.
"These are AWESOME."
Ade meanwhile looked nervous.
"…Please tell me these are easy to drive."
Yuuki casually nodded.
"Very."
Then smirking slightly—
"And durable enough if you crash."
"…That somehow worries me more."
The engines of the Recon Raptors ignited afterward with sharp futuristic hums.
Then—
Yuuki looked across the battlefield once more.
Raptures continued emerging.
Sirens still fought at sea.
The island burned beneath war.
Yet now—
His girls were no longer helpless survivors.
The GDI had armed them properly.
And suddenly—
The battlefield no longer looked hopeless at all.
"Let's move, ladies."
Yorktown smirked as she mounted the Recon Raptor Bike smoothly.
The engine beneath her immediately purred to life while holographic controls illuminated around the steering system.
She could already see the others reacting similarly.
Enterprise quietly examined the controls before mounting her own bike.
Illustrious looked surprisingly interested.
Belfast calmly adjusted her gloves while sitting atop hers with perfect elegance.
Even Soda looked visibly excited despite trying to act composed.
Only Ade still appeared nervous.
"…This thing looks really fast."
Soda immediately grinned.
"That's the fun part!"
Yuuki casually walked beside them afterward.
"Relax."
Then lightly tapping the side of one bike—
"It's basically a car with two wheels."
The girls blinked.
And after sitting properly—
They realized he was right.
Unlike normal motorcycles—
The Recon Raptors used modified steering systems.
Steering wheel.
Pedal shifts.
Throttle control.
Brake systems.
Extremely stable balancing assistance.
The design clearly prioritized ease of use for rapid deployment troops.
Illustrious softly smiled afterward.
"Oh my."
"This is actually quite intuitive."
Enterprise tested the throttle once.
The bike instantly responded with frightening acceleration.
"…Responsive."
Meanwhile—
Belfast calmly revved her engine once.
The Dragon missile launchers beside the bike rotated slightly while the crystal shield shimmered around the frame.
"Master, you certainly prepare delightful equipment."
Yorktown looked toward the battlefield afterward before gripping the controls firmly.
"All units."
Her voice naturally shifted into leadership mode.
"Protect civilians first."
"Destroy hostile units second."
Then smiling slightly—
"Try not to crash."
Soda immediately raised her hand.
"No promises!"
Ade visibly paled.
"PLEASE don't say that before we start moving."
Then—
The engines roared together.
Six Recon Raptors launched forward simultaneously across the ruined streets.
Crystal shields shimmered.
Machine guns armed.
Missile systems activated.
And for the first time in years—
Several shipgirls genuinely looked like they were having fun fighting again.
============
"Umm… Commander…"
Javelin awkwardly raised her hand while still holding the Firefly Rifle.
"Can I change clothes first?"
She lightly tugged the wedding dress with embarrassment.
"It's really not comfortable fighting in this…"
Eugen crossed her arms nearby.
"I agree, Herr Kommandant."
Then glancing at the damaged dress—
"I'd rather not battle Raptures dressed like someone's hostage bride."
Hipper immediately nodded.
"Honestly, same."
Yuuki blinked once before casually pulling out another device.
A portable clothing generator.
"Here."
He handed it toward Hipper.
"Teach them how to use this."
Hipper examined it briefly before nodding.
"Understood."
Soon—
The three girls slipped into a nearby ruined house to change properly.
Several minutes later—
The door opened again.
And honestly—
Even Yuuki looked surprised.
Because the moment they emerged—
It genuinely felt like they had finally become themselves again.
Javelin stepped out first.
No longer trapped inside a ceremonial wedding dress.
Instead—
She wore her familiar outfit proudly once more.
A purple hooded scarf with bear-ear decorations wrapped around her neck.
White blouse with blue lacing.
Red-and-blue plaid skirt layered over black frills.
Dark socks and blue boots.
A tiny crown rested atop her lavender hair tied into a messy high ponytail.
And most importantly—
She looked comfortable again.
Happy again.
Even the way she carried herself felt lighter now.
"Ahh…"
Javelin softly smiled afterward.
"This feels way better."
Then—
Hipper emerged next.
Her gray Iron Blood military uniform returned alongside her familiar twin-tail hairstyle and sharp green eyes.
Red-and-black accents.
Iron Blood insignia.
Loose gray boots.
Black thigh-highs.
The entire outfit restored the proud heavy cruiser's identity immediately.
And somehow—
The moment she wore it again—
Hipper visibly regained part of her old confidence too.
Though thankfully—
Without the aggressive attitude she herself no longer wanted.
Finally—
Eugen stepped out.
And several people genuinely paused looking at her.
Because unlike the broken bride from earlier—
Now she once again looked like Prinz Eugen.
Confident.
Beautiful.
Dangerous.
Her black-and-red military outfit fit her perfectly while silver hair flowed naturally behind her.
Even her expression carried playful composure again.
"…Much better."
Yuuki quietly looked at the three of them afterward.
Then honestly—
"Wow."
The girls blinked.
Yuuki lightly gestured toward them.
"So this is how you normally look."
Javelin smiled brightly.
"Yep!"
Hipper crossed her arms.
"Obviously."
Eugen softly smirked afterward.
"What?"
"You preferred the wedding dress?"
"…No comment."
Anis immediately laughed through comms.
"Commander got stunned."
Neon dramatically pointed.
"Three shipgirls unlocked their true forms!"
Even Yorktown softly smiled seeing the change.
Because the three no longer looked like victims rescued from captivity.
Now—
They looked like warriors again.
Meanwhile—
The three girls slowly turned toward the ruined arena afterward.
Toward the remains of the corrupted nanite mass Yuuki had destroyed earlier.
The twisted flesh and broken machines still twitched slightly across the shattered battlefield.
And quietly—
Each of them understood the same thing.
Their old lives on this island had truly ended today.
Eugen noticed Yuuki staring at the three of them for perhaps a second too long.
A teasing smile immediately appeared on her face.
"Don't worry."
She casually brushed some silver hair aside afterward.
"I'll wear a wedding dress again for our actual wedding in the future…"
Then deliberately—
"…dear fiancé."
Yuuki immediately blinked.
"…Since when?"
Eugen looked genuinely confused by the question.
"You won."
She pointed toward herself and then Javelin.
"Me and Javelin are technically yours now."
Then smirking mischievously—
"…Teddy bear."
Yuuki visibly paused.
"Teddy bear?"
Eugen nodded proudly.
"In Iron Blood, animal nicknames are common between lovers."
Then thoughtfully—
"There's teddy bear…"
"…little bunny…"
"…puppy…"
She leaned slightly closer afterward.
"So Commander…"
"What do you want me to call you?"
"Teddy bear?"
"Or little bunny?"
Yuuki looked spiritually exhausted already.
"…Neither."
"No fair!"
Javelin immediately protested while climbing toward her Pitbull.
"If Lady Eugen gets special nicknames then I want one too!"
Nearby—
Hipper visibly blushed hearing the entire conversation.
"…Can you two PLEASE not do this during a battlefield operation?"
Then—
Anis' voice suddenly entered the comms.
"…You do realize you're all on open channel, right?"
Complete silence followed briefly.
Eugen then smiled wider.
"Maybe I want everyone listening."
Several women immediately reacted at once.
Akagi's horrified voice echoed from the Daedalus.
"WHAT."
Yorktown immediately stepped in with dangerous calmness.
"…We'll discuss this later."
Enterprise quietly nodded beside her.
"Yes."
Illustrious smiled very gently.
Which somehow felt more threatening.
Even Belfast calmly adjusted her gloves.
"Indeed."
Yuuki immediately sensed danger approaching from multiple directions simultaneously.
"…Why do I feel like I'm in trouble?"
Nayuta quietly watched the entire exchange with amusement.
"Verily…"
Then softly—
"Thou possesseth more complications than ever before, O Great Hero."
Yuuki sighed.
"I don't even know anymore, Nayuta."
Meanwhile—
Javelin had already entered her Pitbull enthusiastically.
The scout vehicle's systems illuminated around her.
"Oh wow…"
"This thing has target prediction!"
Then—
Yuuki deployed three additional combat capsules onto the battlefield.
The capsules unfolded heavily.
Revealing towering armored combat exosuits.
XS1 Goliath units.
Also known as AST-class Armored Support Transports.
The towering machines immediately dwarfed nearby vehicles.
Massive armored plating.
Arm-mounted miniguns.
Underarm rocket systems.
Shoulder-mounted micro-missile launchers.
Walking tanks designed for heavy frontline combat.
Even Neon literally popped her head out from the T-740 hatch again.
"…Commander."
"…How many weapons DO you have?"
Recon bikes.
Pitbulls.
Hover tanks.
And now giant armored power suits.
Her eyes practically sparkled.
Yep.
She absolutely picked the correct man to fall for.
Yuuki casually pointed toward the three Goliaths afterward.
"You three are using these."
He referred toward:
Nayuta,
Eugen,
and Hipper.
The three looked up toward the towering armored suits.
Hipper visibly blinked.
"…Those are for us?"
Yuuki nodded.
"Escort the T-740."
Then calmly—
"And kill as many Raptures as possible on the way."
Eugen slowly smiled afterward while looking up at the Goliath armor.
"…Herr Kommandant."
"…You really know how to impress women."
Meanwhile—
Nayuta quietly stared at the towering war machines.
Then softly—
"Verily…"
"…thy faction wieldeth weapons worthy of ancient legends."
The three girls approached the towering XS1 Goliath units.
Even standing beside them felt intimidating.
The armored combat suits were nearly walking fortresses.
Nayuta quietly removed her large hat first before dematerializing her staff and circular device behind her back.
Then—
The three entered the armored frames.
Immediately—
The AST systems activated.
Heavy armor plating began assembling around their bodies piece by piece.
Mechanical arms adjusted automatically.
Cockpit interiors calibrated to their heights and neural patterns.
Blue holographic systems illuminated across the interiors.
Then the onboard AI activated.
"Pilot detected."
"Initializing neural synchronization."
"Neural pathways aligned."
"Calibrating weapons systems."
One by one—
The systems came online.
"Swarm missiles ready."
"Rocket systems ready."
"Main gun ready."
Massive weapon systems unfolded across the Goliath armor afterward.
Arm-mounted miniguns rotated softly.
Shoulder missile pods armed themselves.
The three girls immediately felt the sheer power of the machines surrounding them.
Eugen flexed one armored hand slightly.
The massive Goliath mirrored her movement perfectly.
Then she smiled.
"…Danke, little bear."
Yuuki immediately looked up at her AST unit.
"…Please stop encouraging this."
Eugen completely ignored him.
"This is the best pre-wedding gift ever for your beloved fiancee."
"Eugen."
Hipper immediately sounded embarrassed over comms.
"You cannot just casually decide that!"
Meanwhile—
Nayuta slowly moved her own Goliath experimentally.
The armored giant responded smoothly.
Then softly—
"Verily…"
"…thou art remarkably bold, Eugen."
Rapi's exhausted voice immediately entered the channel.
"…Again."
"This is still an open communication line."
And honestly—
Rapi herself sounded slightly envious.
Not just her.
Several others too.
Because Eugen somehow openly advanced faster than everyone else without shame.
Then—
Belfast calmly spoke through comms.
"Master."
Her voice remained perfectly composed.
"Please prepare yourself for a lecture later."
Yuuki immediately defended himself.
"Hey."
"She's the one causing problems."
Eugen laughed softly afterward.
"Oh?"
"Then perhaps you should stop being so easy to tease, teddy bear."
Several channels immediately became suspiciously quiet again.
Then—
Akagi's voice softly entered communications.
Dangerously calm.
"…Shikikan-sama~~~~."
Yuuki immediately closed one eye behind the visor.
"…Yeah?"
"…Akagi shall also discuss this later."
Even Kaga sighed quietly afterward.
"…Commander truly has no survival instincts outside battle."
Eugen smiled innocently inside the AST cockpit.
"I regret nothing."
Nearby—
Neon leaned halfway out from the T-740 hatch again while staring at the three newly activated Goliaths.
"Commander…"
"…Your team keeps getting cooler every ten minutes."
Then dramatically—
"And somehow hotter too."
"Neon," Rapi warned immediately.
"What? I'm just stating facts!"
Yuuki softly sighed beneath the Mark 86 helmet before launching himself back into the skies.
Blue thrusters ignited behind him as he accelerated across the island at high speed.
Everywhere he went—
Raptures fell.
Some were destroyed outright by repulsor blasts or sword strikes.
Others—
He intentionally disabled instead.
Because even during an active warzone—
Yuuki still remembered research value.
Several immobilized Rapture units were immediately teleported into containment storage for later study aboard the Philadelphia.
Vergil's excited voice nearly exploded through comms every few minutes.
"YOU CAUGHT A LIVE ONE?!"
"Commander keep them intact!"
"DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH DATA WE CAN GET FROM THIS?"
Meanwhile—
Ground operations had fully begun.
Eugen immediately adapted to the XS1 Goliath far faster than expected.
The heavy combat suit's thrusters ignited beneath its legs—
Then the massive machine launched itself forward in a boosted leap across ruined streets.
The sheer sight stunned nearby civilians.
A walking fortress suddenly catapulting itself through the battlefield at high speed.
Eugen laughed afterward.
"Oh this is FUN."
Her Goliath landed heavily before unleashing micro-missiles directly into an approaching Rapture formation.
BOOM BOOM BOOM.
The creatures exploded apart instantly.
Nearby—
Hipper quickly learned the movement systems too.
The additional GDI thruster modifications compensated for the Goliath's heavy frame beautifully.
The normally bulky combat platform suddenly possessed frightening mobility.
"…This thing is absurd."
Her arm-mounted minigun immediately roared afterward shredding multiple lower-class Raptures.
Meanwhile—
Nayuta quietly adjusted to the controls with surprising grace.
"Verily…"
"…thy engines grant the sensation of flight itself."
Her Goliath boosted sideways elegantly before firing swarm missiles into incoming aerial drones.
Explosions lit the streets around them.
Then—
The T-740 hover tank surged forward behind the trio.
"LET'S GO!"
Neon practically shouted from inside the weapons seat.
The massive hover tank accelerated across the streets while floating above debris effortlessly.
Nimi calmly handled the controls.
"Turning left."
Laffey slowly pointed toward another street through the navigation systems.
"…More enemies there…"
Then after a pause—
"…Laffey not sleeping."
Yuuki sounded genuinely impressed through comms.
"That's growth."
"…Laffey proud."
Meanwhile—
Unicorn controlled the external turret systems nervously but effectively.
Auto-cannons opened fire against flying Rapture drones attempting approach.
"I-I got one!"
Then another.
Neon had achieved enlightenment.
"OH THIS IS AMAZING."
The Nikke practically vibrated with excitement while gripping the weapons controls.
"Nimi! Faster!"
"We are already moving at combat speed," Nimi answered calmly.
"That means we can go FASTER."
Meanwhile—
The T-740's targeting systems locked onto an incoming Rapture formation.
Neon's eyes lit up instantly.
"Main cannon selected!"
The massive smoothbore cannon rotated forward.
Then—
BOOOOOOOOM.
The deafening blast echoed across the city.
The recoil alone shook nearby buildings.
A distant Rapture heavy unit vanished instantly beneath the impact.
Neon nearly screamed happily.
"THAT SOUND."
"THAT BEAUTIFUL SOUND."
Anis laughed through comms.
"She's in heaven."
Rapi sighed.
"…We lost her mentally."
Then—
Several flying mechanical units appeared overhead.
Neon immediately switched systems.
"EMP cannon online!"
Blue electrical energy rapidly gathered beneath the main gun.
"Eat THIS!"
VWOOOOOM.
The EMP blast surged across the street.
Every flying machine caught in range immediately lost power and dropped from the sky.
Some exploded upon impact.
Others simply crashed lifelessly into ruined buildings.
Neon gasped dramatically.
"It disables them?!"
Yuuki casually answered through comms.
"That's usually what EMP means."
"Commander…"
"…I love your technology."
Then—
A massive swarm of smaller Rapture units began flooding from an intersection.
Neon immediately grinned dangerously.
"Oh no…"
"You brought numbers."
Missile systems unfolded around the T-740.
"Rocket barrage selected!"
FWOOOSH.
Multiple rockets launched simultaneously before splitting midair into separate targets.
Entire groups of Raptures exploded apart.
And when even MORE began pouring into the streets—
Neon escalated further.
"SWARM MISSILES!"
Dozens of micro-missiles launched upward before raining down across the battlefield like guided destruction.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM.
Explosions consumed the entire avenue.
Javelin visibly stared from her Pitbull.
"…Commander gave Neon artillery access."
Cocoa quietly nodded.
"…That may have been dangerous."
Meanwhile—
Inside the hover tank—
Neon looked emotionally fulfilled.
"This…"
She dramatically pointed toward the burning battlefield.
"…is true firepower."
The T-740's anti-air systems lit the skies continuously.
And beside the hover tank—
Javelin and Cocoa provided escort support using their Pitbull scout vehicles.
The two vehicles moved quickly around intersections while missiles and grenade launchers fired toward advancing enemies.
Javelin visibly looked exhilarated now.
"Commander wasn't kidding!"
"These things are amazing!"
Her Pitbull launched missiles into a cluster of Raptures before the minigun tore through survivors immediately afterward.
Meanwhile—
Cocoa surprisingly handled her Pitbull extremely well too.
Focused.
Calm.
Protective.
She intercepted several Raptures attempting to ambush evacuating civilians before they could reach the shelters.
And all across the battlefield—
The newly assembled task force moved together smoothly.
Not as isolated survivors anymore.
But as an actual fighting unit under the GDI banner.
The XS1 Goliaths moved through the ruined streets like armored giants.
Heavy footsteps shook the ground beneath them while missile trails lit the battlefield constantly.
And surprisingly—
The three women adapted to the combat platforms extremely quickly.
Eugen boosted her Goliath forward again using the reinforced thrusters beneath the unit.
The massive armor launched over collapsed streets before landing directly in front of several advancing Raptures.
Then—
Her arm-mounted minigun roared.
Hundreds of rounds tore through the enemy formation instantly.
"This is incredible."
She immediately switched weapon systems afterward.
"Swarm missiles ready."
Micro-swarm missiles launched from the shoulders of the Goliath before detonating across rooftops filled with hostile units.
Explosions echoed throughout the district.
Nearby—
Hipper's Goliath fought more aggressively.
Controlled.
Precise.
"Rocket ready,"
Every rocket fired deliberately.
"Main gun ready."
Every burst from the minigun efficiently placed.
The heavy cruiser visibly synchronized with the armored suit naturally.
"…These weapons are absurd."
Her underarm rockets blasted apart a larger Rapture attempting to ambush civilians escaping underground.
Then she glanced toward Eugen briefly.
And paused.
Because—
For the first time in nearly ten years—
Eugen was genuinely having fun again.
Not pretending.
Not masking pain behind teasing smiles.
Actually enjoying herself.
Hipper quietly watched her sister's laughter over comms while the Goliath boosted through enemy lines.
Then softly—
"…It's good seeing you like this again."
Eugen blinked once before smiling more gently.
"…Yeah."
Her voice quieted slightly afterward.
"I forgot what freedom felt like."
Then immediately—
Another Rapture appeared.
"Oh well."
The Goliath's main gun fired point blank.
BOOM.
"Freedom with giant weapons is even better."
Meanwhile—
Nayuta fought with surprising elegance despite piloting a massive war machine.
Her Goliath moved more fluidly than expected.
Almost graceful.
"Verily…"
"…thy engines answer unto mine will splendidly."
She launched herself upward using the thrusters before firing swarm missiles downward into aerial Rapture units.
Then landed heavily beside Eugen and Hipper.
The three Goliaths formed a moving spearhead escorting the T-740 through the burning city.
And everywhere they passed—
The Raptures were driven back.
=================
Meanwhile—
Across another district of the island—
The sound of engines screamed through ruined streets.
Six Recon Raptor Bikes accelerated at extreme speed between collapsing buildings while missiles streaked through the air around them.
FWOOOSH.
BOOM.
Flying Rapture drones exploded one after another beneath precision missile fire.
The crystal shields around the bikes shimmered as stray enemy attacks bounced harmlessly away.
Yorktown led the formation at the front.
Focused.
Calm.
Confident.
Her Recon Raptor drifted sharply around debris before the mounted machine guns opened fire.
Entire lines of lower-class Raptures collapsed beneath concentrated bursts.
And honestly—
She was smiling.
Not because of destruction.
But because for the first time in years—
She was fighting alongside trusted comrades on ground again.
Beside her—
Enterprise boosted off a broken roadway before firing twin Dragon missiles into an aerial Rapture cluster.
Direct hits.
No wasted movement.
Illustrious followed closely behind.
Her bike glided elegantly through the battlefield despite the chaos while her mounted systems continuously intercepted threats around evacuation routes.
Meanwhile—
Belfast looked absurdly composed while operating a high-speed missile bike during an active warzone.
One hand calmly controlled the steering wheel.
The other held her Volt Auto Rifle.
She fired precise bursts while driving effortlessly.
"Master certainly equips us generously."
Nearby—
Ade screamed slightly while drifting a corner too aggressively.
"WHY IS THIS THING SO FAST?!"
Soda however looked thrilled.
"THIS IS AMAZING."
Her missiles immediately obliterated another Rapture group afterward.
Soon—
The six Recon Raptors arrived near Vestal and Akashi's evacuation zone.
The area was under heavy attack.
Multiple Raptures descended toward civilians attempting to reach underground shelters.
Akashi pointed frantically.
"Over there, nya!"
Vestal immediately noticed the approaching bikes.
Ade and Soda looked like they were living out a futuristic action movie.
Soda laughed excitedly while firing her mounted machine guns.
"These bikes are AMAZING!"
Ade meanwhile still looked nervous—
But was fighting extremely well regardless.
"I-I got another one!"
Her missiles destroyed a flying Rapture attempting to attack one of the evacuation convoys.
Soon—
The six riders finally arrived near Vestal and Akashi's rescue zone.
The battlefield there had become dangerous.
Multiple Raptures descended from surrounding buildings attempting to overwhelm the medical teams and civilians.
But the moment Yorktown's team arrived—
The situation immediately changed.
The six Recon Bikes skidded into defensive formation around the rescue operation.
Volt Auto Rifles deployed.
Personal Ion Cannons charged.
Laser Chain Guns spun.
Then—
The counterattack began.
Blue energy fire illuminated the streets while missiles and machine gun rounds tore through approaching enemies.
Akashi visibly brightened seeing them.
"Nyaa! Reinforcements, nya!"
Vestal softly sighed in relief.
"Perfect timing."
Above them—
The Iron Legions continued spreading across the skies like mechanical guardian angels.
Repulsor systems illuminated the darkened battlefield while the armored units intercepted incoming Raptures relentlessly.
The civilians hiding nearby could only stare in disbelief.
Because the battlefield around them no longer looked hopeless.
It looked protected.
===================
Far above the streets—
The sniper team continued moving between rooftops while explosions echoed throughout the island.
Another Rapture convoy emerged from an alleyway below.
Anis immediately aimed her powered Ramjet Rifle.
"Target locked."
Then—
BOOOOOOM.
The anti-material round obliterated the lead unit instantly.
The recoil shook the rooftop beneath her boots.
Anis sighed dramatically afterward while entering another firing stance in Heroic Mode.
"Look at them…"
She watched the others speeding through the battlefield below.
"Using giant armored suits…"
"Hover tanks…"
"Cool recon bikes…"
"Missile trucks…"
Then gesturing toward herself and the others—
"And we're stuck up here."
Rapi calmly adjusted her targeting scope beside her.
"At least we have power suits."
Another shot fired.
BOOM.
A flying Rapture exploded apart midair.
"And advanced sniper systems."
Atago softly smiled while reloading her launcher.
"Multiple weapon modes."
She fired a missile afterward.
FWOOSH.
A cluster of enemies vanished beneath the explosion.
"And these delightful missile launchers."
Meanwhile—
Takao launched her grappling hook toward another rooftop.
The cable pulled her across the ruined streets smoothly.
"…And mobility."
She landed elegantly before firing another missile downward.
"Do not underestimate elevated tactical positioning."
Anis grappled after her immediately.
"Yeah yeah tactical positioning."
Then grinning—
"But admit it."
Another swing.
"You want a giant robot too."
Takao remained silent for several seconds.
"…Perhaps slightly."
Atago laughed softly.
"Sister absolutely wants one."
Meanwhile—
Rapi already moved toward another rooftop calmly.
"New enemy wave approaching west sector."
"Move."
The four immediately grappled across the battlefield again.
Their power suits boosted their speed while cables launched between tall buildings.
Missiles streaked downward constantly during movement.
Sniper fire echoed from above.
And despite Anis complaining—
The rooftop team actually looked incredibly cool operating together.
===================
The T-740 came to a grinding halt near one of the ruined civilian sectors.
Burning debris blocked the streets while damaged buildings leaned dangerously over the roads.
And worse—
Raptures had already broken through the evacuation routes.
Gunfire echoed across the district as terrified civilians ran through the smoke.
Inside the tank, Neon immediately stood up from the gunner seat.
"Commander, civilians are pinned down!"
Nimi quickly turned the steering controls while scanning the streets.
"The T-740 is too large to maneuver through this area."
Another explosion rocked the street nearby.
Without hesitation—
Neon grabbed her Firefly Laser Rifle.
"Then we do this the old-fashioned way!"
The above hatch burst open.
Neon jumped out first dramatically while Nimi sighed and followed after her with her own rifle ready.
Laffey lazily climbed out next.
"…Laffey detects danger."
Unicorn nervously followed behind while clutching her weapon tightly.
"U-Unicorn will help too…"
The moment they landed outside—
Several Raptures emerged from the smoke.
Neon immediately raised her rifle.
Red laser fire erupted down the street.
"YIPPEE KI-YAY, MOTHERFU—"
"Language," Nimi interrupted instantly while firing precise shots beside her.
Neon looked deeply offended.
"Oh come on."
"Let me have my action movie moment!"
Another laser burst slammed through a Rapture's head.
The machine collapsed smoking onto the pavement.
Meanwhile—
Laffey calmly eliminated another target with sleepy precision.
"…Target neutralized."
Unicorn hurried toward trapped civilians afterward.
"It's okay!"
"We'll protect you!"
Small children and injured civilians were quickly escorted toward safer alleyways while Neon and Nimi held the street.
More Raptures charged from the intersection.
Neon grinned wildly.
"Oh NOW we're talking!"
Her Firefly Rifle switched firing modes.
Rapid laser bursts tore through advancing machines while Nimi covered weak points methodically.
The contrast between them was absurd.
Neon fought like she was starring in an action movie.
Nimi fought like a professional soldier cleaning up a battlefield.
Meanwhile—
Laffey casually carried an injured civilian over one shoulder while still firing accurately one-handed.
"…Efficient multitasking."
Unicorn helped another frightened civilian stand before smiling gently.
"You're safe now…"
The surviving civilians stared at the four girls in awe.
A hyperactive weapons fanatic.
A disciplined tactician.
A sleepy destroyer girl.
And a timid carrier.
Standing against monsters without hesitation.
Then—
From behind them—
The T-740's engine roared back to life.
Nimi glanced toward the tank.
"Path cleared."
Neon immediately pointed dramatically.
"Everybody back in!"
Then proudly—
"The FIREPOWER wagon rides again!"
===================
Yuuki streaked across the battlefield skies while explosions continued throughout the island.
Another flying Rapture appeared before him.
Without slowing down—
He raised one hand.
A chrono beam fired instantly.
The machine froze midair before vanishing entirely.
Teleported directly into containment storage.
Jarvis had already completed extensive battlefield scans by now.
Drone-class Raptures.
Flying assault models.
Turret drones.
Nanite corruption samples.
Portal residue.
Every useful target Yuuki encountered—
He captured whenever possible instead of simply destroying.
One after another—
Specimens vanished through chrono transport systems toward the Philadelphia.
Even the black nanite corruption recovered from Pierre's body had already been transmitted directly to Vergil's labs.
Honestly—
Yuuki quietly glanced toward the destroyed arena for a moment.
Poor bastard.
Pierre had been manipulated from the beginning.
Consumed by jealousy.
Then by corruption.
And in the end—
He didn't even receive an honorable death.
Just annihilation beneath forces far beyond him.
Yuuki softly exhaled before accelerating forward again.
The battle still continued.
And as he flew through the city—
He saw something that genuinely made him smile.
Shipgirls and Nikkes fighting together.
Protecting civilians together.
Saving an island together.
Yorktown's recon team racing through the streets.
Neon screaming happily inside a hover tank.
Rapi's sniper group controlling the rooftops.
Vestal and Akashi healing civilians.
Eugen and Hipper tearing through enemies in Goliaths.
Even Nayuta fighting beside everyone without hesitation.
Above all of them—
Akagi and Kaga maintained absolute air superiority.
Sirens attempting aerial assaults barely survived minutes before being intercepted.
The skies belonged completely to the GDI now.
Then—
Yuuki authorized another escalation.
"Deploy Chronocopters."
Immediately—
Advanced helicopters warped into the battlefield skies.
Chronocopters escorted by Cryocopters.
The islanders below stared upward in disbelief once more.
The Cryocopters moved first.
Blue freezing beams swept across the battlefield.
Several Raptures froze solid instantly.
Siren machines attempting retreat suddenly lost power as jamming systems activated.
Then—
The Chronocopters arrived.
Missiles launched.
Machine guns opened fire.
And finally—
Chrono beam launchers activated.
Frozen targets vanished one after another.
Not destroyed.
Transported.
Captured alive for research aboard Philadelphia.
Meanwhile—
Far away inside the research station—
Vergil practically looked euphoric directing the operations remotely.
"Scan that one."
"No no no DON'T destroy the spider drone."
"I want that intact."
One Chronocopter immediately teleported another captured Rapture into containment.
Vergil grinned.
"Oh this is Christmas."
Researchers all around him rushed between containment chambers while new alien machines continuously arrived.
Siren technology.
Rapture nanites.
Portal residue.
Magic crystals.
The amount of new data entering GDI systems became absurd.
And somehow—
Despite the chaos consuming the island—
The battlefield itself had transformed into something else entirely.
Not merely a desperate defense.
But a demonstration.
Yuuki descended from the skies before landing beside Yorktown's recon group.
The Mark 86 armor released soft bursts of steam while battlefield alarms continued echoing in the distance.
"Yo, everyone."
The group immediately turned toward him.
"Commander?" Yorktown asked.
Yuuki looked around briefly at the burning city before focusing back on them.
"Situation report."
Yorktown nodded immediately.
"Yes."
She pulled up tactical projections from her bike systems.
"We've minimized civilian casualties significantly."
Then quieter—
"But some deaths were unavoidable."
The atmosphere dimmed slightly afterward.
Even with overwhelming GDI firepower—
They still couldn't save everyone.
Yuuki silently nodded.
He understood that reality better than most.
Meanwhile—
Yorktown continued.
"Vestal and Akashi established medical stations near the underground shelters."
"They're stabilizing and healing civilians continuously."
"Bulins are assisting evacuation and rescue efforts."
Yuuki glanced farther down the ruined street afterward.
And honestly—
The sight almost looked surreal.
One Bulin carried a wounded man nearly twice her own size over her shoulders while running toward shelter entrances.
"Buli buli!"
Another civilian stared in absolute disbelief.
"…How is she that strong?"
Nearby—
Purin's oversized drill arms spun violently as she tunneled through collapsed rubble searching for survivors trapped underneath destroyed buildings.
"Found more people, buli!"
And farther away—
Kurin used her massive hammer arms to smash apart jammed metal doors trapping civilians inside.
BOOM.
The entire doorway burst open instantly.
"Safe now, buli!"
Several rescued civilians visibly looked emotional seeing the tiny support units risking themselves to save strangers.
Meanwhile—
Ade quietly lowered her chain gun afterward.
"…They really are trying to save everyone."
Soda softly smiled watching the Bulins work.
"They're amazing."
Belfast meanwhile calmly reloaded her Volt Auto Rifle.
"Master's forces are operating efficiently."
Then after observing the streets—
"Civilian morale is stabilizing as well."
Yuuki looked around again afterward.
And she was right.
Earlier—
The city was drowning in panic.
Now—
People were organizing.
Helping each other.
Moving toward shelters orderly.
Because they believed someone was protecting them.
Then—
Enterprise suddenly looked upward sharply.
"…Incoming."
Several new Siren signals appeared across the tactical map.
Far offshore—
More enemy signatures approached through the smoke-covered sea.
Illustrious quietly narrowed her eyes.
"It appears the enemy intends to test us further."
Yuuki softly cracked his neck.
Then smiled again.
"Good."
The others immediately recognized that smile now.
It was the same expression he made whenever the battlefield escalated.
Yuuki activated tactical overlays across everyone's comms afterward.
The battlefield had begun shifting in GDI's favor.
Sirens across the surrounding seas were steadily being pushed back beneath the Daedalus fleet bombardment.
Kodiak railguns thundered endlessly.
Firehawks dominated the skies.
Orcas continued precision strikes against naval formations.
Meanwhile—
Across the island itself—
Ground forces steadily exterminated Rapture units one after another.
The evacuation routes stabilized.
Shelters filled safely.
For a brief moment—
It looked like victory was approaching.
Then—
The entire island shook violently.
THOOOOM.
Buildings trembled.
Windows shattered.
Even the sea itself began rising unnaturally.
Yuuki immediately turned toward the coastline.
And saw it.
A gigantic mechanical silhouette emerging from the ocean depths.
Massive.
Quadrupedal.
Its size rivaled entire buildings.
Mechanical tentacles dragged across the shore while red sensor eyes illuminated through the smoke-covered battlefield.
The sheer pressure of its arrival silenced entire sections of the city.
Anis' voice immediately sounded through comms.
"…That's a Hunter."
Even she sounded serious now.
Rapi's tactical overlays rapidly identified the target.
"The Rapture Hunter-class."
"One of the strongest known Rapture siege units."
The massive machine continued climbing onto the island slowly.
Each step shook the ground beneath it.
Rapi continued calmly—
"It previously required the combined effort of over fifty Nikkes to destroy a single Hunter."
Even the shipgirls present visibly narrowed their eyes hearing that.
The tactical schematics displayed across comms showed its terrifying structure.
The Hunter resembled an enormous alien transport platform merged with living machinery.
Heavy armor plating.
Massive mounted tentacles.
Multiple hidden weapon systems.
It looked less like a normal combat unit—
And more like a moving fortress.
Then—
The mounted tentacles shifted.
One massive cannon-like appendage slowly moved backward.
Charging.
Yuuki quietly stared at it.
"…Wow."
"That's a big Rapture."
Meanwhile—
Nimi's voice immediately entered comms.
"Commander!"
The T-740 hover tank rapidly approached through the ruined streets.
"We're on our way!"
Behind the hover tank—
Three Goliath units boosted forward aggressively.
Eugen.
Hipper.
Nayuta.
Alongside them—
Javelin and Cocoa raced beside the formation using their Pitbull vehicles.
Missiles armed.
Miniguns spinning.
Above the rooftops—
The sniper team grappled rapidly toward Yuuki's position.
Rapi.
Anis.
Takao.
Atago.
All converging toward the new threat immediately.
Meanwhile—
The Daedalus had already engaged.
San Diego unleashed railgun fire from above.
Massive impacts slammed into the Hunter's armor repeatedly.
"WHY WON'T THIS THING DIE?!"
Kaga immediately redirected bombing formations.
Precision bombardment rained from the skies.
Explosions engulfed the giant machine continuously.
Yet—
The Hunter kept walking.
Slowly.
Relentlessly.
Eldridge quietly watched targeting calculations afterward.
"…Can't use big zap."
Her Tesla cannons' area-of-effect radius remained too dangerous near civilian sectors.
Too many shelters still existed nearby.
The giant Hunter meanwhile fully stepped onto the island.
Then—
Its massive tentacle cannon turned toward the city.
And began charging.
The gigantic Hunter continued charging its main weapon.
Red energy gathered within the massive tentacle cannon while the surrounding air distorted violently.
Tactical alarms immediately spread across every GDI channel.
"Energy spike detected."
"Projected blast radius catastrophic."
Yuuki narrowed his eyes beneath the Mark 86 visor.
"…Should I use the F-SPAR?"
Several tactical projections appeared before him instantly.
Then he immediately rejected the idea.
"No."
His expression hardened slightly.
"Too powerful."
The F-SPAR would annihilate the Hunter.
But it would also drain massive amounts of the Daedalus' offensive systems temporarily.
And with Sirens still surrounding the island—
That risk wasn't acceptable yet.
Which meant—
He was about to engage the Hunter directly.
Yuuki's thrusters began charging as he prepared to launch himself toward the giant machine.
Then suddenly—
BOOM.
An explosion slammed into the Hunter's side.
Then another.
BOOM.
BOOM.
Heavy impacts repeatedly struck the gigantic Rapture's armor.
The massive creature visibly staggered sideways from the barrage.
Its charging sequence destabilized immediately.
The enormous machine lost balance briefly while sparks erupted from damaged armor plating.
Yuuki blinked.
"…What the—"
Then—
A calm feminine voice echoed above the battlefield.
"Ah…"
"It appears thou art in trouble, my husband."
Everyone immediately looked upward.
And froze.
A figure slowly descended through the smoke-covered skies.
Purple hair.
Elegant moon-themed kimono.
A decorative parasol held gracefully in one hand.
And most importantly—
She was floating.
Actually floating.
Not through visible technology.
Not through thrusters.
Simply floating naturally through the air.
Even Yuuki visibly widened his eyes behind the visor.
"…You."
It was the mysterious woman they had seen earlier that morning.
The same impossible beauty.
The same unsettling aura.
The battlefield itself seemed to quiet slightly around her arrival.
Even the Hunter momentarily paused.
Then everyone finally noticed it properly.
Not merely the woman herself—
But what floated behind her.
Rigging.
Shipgirl rigging.
Massive mechanical weapon platforms hovered gracefully around her body like orbiting moons.
Heavy naval cannons rotated silently beside her.
Armor plating shimmered with faint violet energy.
And behind her—
A gigantic runway platform unfolded slowly into existence.
Fantasy-like aircraft launched from it one after another.
Elegant fighters.
Heavy bombers.
Aircraft unlike anything even Akagi or Kaga had ever seen.
Some resembled traditional Sakura aircraft—
Others looked almost divine.
Moonlit metallic wings illuminated the battlefield skies beautifully as they immediately engaged the Hunter-class Rapture.
Bombs descended.
Explosions erupted across the giant machine again.
Even Yuuki's girls visibly froze.
Because this woman wasn't merely a shipgirl.
She looked like an entire fleet condensed into a single existence.
A battleship.
A dreadnought.
An aircraft carrier.
All merged together into one overwhelming presence.
Atago visibly stared upward speechlessly.
"…Those riggings…"
Takao narrowed her eyes intensely.
"…Impossible."
Even Akagi and Kaga aboard the Daedalus looked genuinely shaken.
"Who…"
"…is she?" Kaga quietly asked.
Because despite clearly possessing Sakura-style rigging—
Neither of them recognized her.
Not from the Sakura Empire.
Not from any known naval faction.
The woman herself calmly floated downward while aircraft continued launching behind her.
The battlefield explosions reflected beautifully across her moon-themed kimono.
Then softly—
She looked toward Yuuki again.
And smiled.
Meanwhile—
The Hunter attempted retaliatory fire.
Its massive tentacle cannon turned toward her.
Then—
One of her floating naval cannons fired.
BOOOOOOM.
The resulting impact completely overpowered the Hunter's attack and blasted the giant Rapture sideways across the shoreline.
Everyone watching visibly widened their eyes.
Even Yorktown quietly muttered—
"…That firepower…"
Enterprise slowly lowered her weapon slightly.
"…She rivals a fleet carrier."
Meanwhile—
Neon practically ascended spiritually.
"THAT."
She pointed dramatically upward.
"IS."
Another nosebleed.
"THE COOLEST SHIPGIRL I HAVE EVER SEEN."
Even Eugen looked impressed.
"…Now that's a woman."
Hipper crossed her arms.
"…Agreed."
Then—
The mysterious woman gently tilted her parasol while her moonlit aircraft circled overhead.
"My apologies."
"It took me some time to arrive."
Then looking directly at Yuuki again—
"But worry not, my husband."
"I shall assist thee."
Meanwhile—
Several girls immediately reacted.
"…Husband?" Anis repeated flatly.
Rapi spoke directly to Yuuki in her comms.
"…Commander."
Yorktown visibly narrowed her eyes behind her visor.
"Would you care to explain?"
Akagi's horrified scream echoed from the Daedalus instantly.
"SHIKIKAN-SAMAAAAAAAAA?!"
Even Eugen looked genuinely impressed now.
"…Teddy bear."
"…How many women HAVE you accidentally collected today? You have me as a fiancée and you have a wife?"
Yuuki immediately raised both hands defensively.
"WAIT."
"I literally just met her this morning."
Nayuta quietly observed the floating woman carefully afterward from the interface as she make her way to him.
Then softly—
"Verily…"
"…this newcomer radiateth power beyond ordinary understanding."
Meanwhile—
The mysterious woman gently landed atop a ruined building nearby while still holding the parasol elegantly.
Then she smiled and pointed her fan toward Yuuki.
Completely calm despite the battlefield around them.
"My husband."
"It seemeth thou hast become rather popular."
"Wait."
Yuuki immediately raised both hands.
"Wait wait wait."
He pointed directly at the floating moon-themed shipgirl.
"Who in the world are you?"
The mysterious woman visibly placed a hand over her chest dramatically.
"How cruel…"
Then softly pouting—
"To forget thy lovely and adorable wife upon this island…"
Several girls immediately reacted.
"…WIFE?" Anis shouted through comms.
The woman continued dramatically.
"I have searched for thee for two whole weeks…"
Then slowly glancing around at the gathered women surrounding Yuuki.
"…Only to discover thee already embraced by beauties."
Yuuki looked completely exhausted already.
"Huh?"
Then narrowing his eyes slightly—
"…You're from the Sakura Empire?"
The woman gently smiled.
"Formerly, Danna-sama."
Then quieter—
"The Empire hath long since scattered."
Her moonlit aircraft continued circling overhead while explosions echoed across the distant battlefield.
"Yet it seemeth thou hast gathered surviving Sakura remnants already based on how they called you."
Yuuki casually nodded.
"Most were dead when I found their wisdom cubes."
Then counting briefly—
"I currently have four."
"Takao."
"Atago."
"Akagi."
"And Kaga."
The mysterious woman's smile visibly deepened afterward.
"Takao-class cruisers…"
"And the First Division Carriers…"
Then warmly—
"Thou worketh quickly."
"That is one reason I adore thee."
Yuuki immediately pointed at her again.
"We have literally never met."
"Not once."
The woman softly tilted her head.
"Ah…"
"But our hearts were already wed long ago."
Then proudly—
"I am thy lawfully wedded wife."
"That's not even remotely logical!"
"It is unto me."
Before Yuuki could respond—
She suddenly descended fully beside him.
Then gently held his cheeks between her hands.
The battlefield around them somehow became even more awkward despite the ongoing apocalypse.
Yuuki visibly froze.
"…Ma'am."
Nearby—
Every single communication channel exploded simultaneously.
Akagi:
"WHO IS THIS WOMAN."
Eugen:
"…Teddy bear truly is talented."
Anis:
"Commander's accidental harem speedrun continues."
Rapi:
"…This operation has become difficult to categorize."
Yorktown quietly sighed.
"…Commander."
Enterprise crossed her arms.
"You attract strange people."
Takao meanwhile stared intensely at the unknown Sakura shipgirl.
Because unlike the others—
She recognized something terrifying.
The woman's rigging.
The aircraft.
The overwhelming pressure surrounding her.
Then quietly—
"…She's ancient."
Atago immediately looked toward her sister.
"You recognize her?"
Takao slowly shook her head.
"…No."
Then narrowing her eyes further—
"But I know one thing."
The giant Hunter-class Rapture in the distance attempted standing again—
Only for another barrage from the mysterious woman's aircraft to slam into it immediately.
Explosions consumed its upper armor.
Takao quietly finished her sentence.
"…She is monstrously powerful."
"Ufufu…"
The mysterious woman gracefully closed her parasol slightly before bowing her head with elegance.
"This one is named Kaguya."
Moonlit aircraft continued circling above her while naval cannons floated silently around her body.
Then softly—
"I am not a standard vessel of the Sakura Empire."
Her violet eyes gently shifted toward Yuuki afterward.
"I am what they once designated…"
"…a Special Priority Modern Ship."
Several shipgirls immediately reacted.
"Priority ships?" Yorktown repeated.
Belfast quietly stepped forward afterward.
"It was a classified research division."
Her tone became more serious.
"The Priority Ship program was created to develop advanced shipgirls capable of contending directly against Sirens."
Then quietly—
"However…"
"The headquarters overseeing the project was destroyed during the war."
"…Nuked."
The battlefield briefly quieted around the revelation.
Even Akagi and Kaga aboard the Daedalus remained silent.
Because they remembered those days.
The collapse.
The desperation.
The endless escalation against the Sirens.
Belfast continued calmly.
"Most Priority Ships were never fully completed."
Then glancing toward Kaguya's floating rigging—
"…At least, that is what we believed."
Kaguya softly smiled.
"Ah…"
"But I stand above even ordinary Priority Ships."
The massive runway rigging behind her expanded slightly again.
Additional moonlit aircraft launched into the skies.
Then—
The atmosphere around her subtly shifted.
Magic.
Actual magic.
Even Yuuki's scanners visibly fluctuated trying to process her energy output.
Kaguya gently placed a hand against her chest.
"Priority Ships merged with arcane forces…"
"…thus creating beings such as myself."
Then smiling directly at Yuuki again—
"Yes, O Beloved One."
"This wife of thine possesseth power far surpassing standard modern ships."
Her floating cannons slowly rotated toward the distant Hunter-class Rapture afterward.
Then proudly—
"Tenfold greater than ordinary Priority Ships."
"Because…"
Purple moonlight shimmered around her body beautifully.
"…this one was infused with magic itself."
Even Nayuta visibly narrowed her eyes now.
Because unlike technology—
She could genuinely feel it.
Kaguya's existence itself carried magical pressure.
A fusion of advanced shipgirl evolution and supernatural energy.
Meanwhile—
Neon slowly processed the information.
"…So."
"She's basically a magical super battleship aircraft carrier goddess?"
Everyone paused.
Then Yuuki sighed.
"…Honestly that's probably the most accurate explanation so far."
Anis groaned dramatically.
"Commander."
"You can't keep finding overpowered women every few hours."
Eugen softly smirked from inside her Goliath.
"Oh no."
"He absolutely can."
Meanwhile—
Far offshore—
The massive Hunter-class Rapture finally regained footing again.
Its gigantic cannon began charging once more.
Kaguya slowly lifted her parasol toward it.
Kaguya softly smiled.
"Shall this wife demonstrate her worth unto thee, Danna-sama?"
Yuuki immediately pointed at her.
"Before that—"
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"You don't even have animal traits."
"You look completely human."
Kaguya blinked once.
Then softly laughed behind her sleeve.
"Ah…"
"Thou referreth unto this?"
Purple spiritual energy shimmered around her body.
Then—
Fluffy fox ears appeared atop her head.
And behind her—
Ten enormous fox tails manifested gracefully into existence.
The tails swayed elegantly behind her while moonlight-like magic sparkled around them.
The entire battlefield somehow became even quieter.
Even Akagi and Kaga visibly froze.
"…Ten tails?" Kaga whispered.
Akagi immediately looked threatened.
"Impossible…"
Meanwhile—
Kaguya gently tilted her head.
"Perhaps…"
"Danna-sama preferreth fox maidens with fluffy tails?"
Then dramatically spreading several tails behind herself—
"This one possesseth more than enough charm to captivate her beloved husband."
She leaned slightly closer toward Yuuki afterward.
"Whether human…"
"…or fox…"
"Whatever thou desirest."
Then—
She pushed her chest upward slightly with absolutely shameless confidence.
Every woman present immediately stared at Yuuki afterward.
Shipgirls.
Nikkes.
Even Nayuta quietly watched.
The pressure became unbelievable.
Yuuki visibly looked cornered.
"…I…"
He immediately raised both hands.
"…I am good."
Complete silence followed.
Then—
Anis burst out laughing first.
"HE RETREATED."
Neon pointed dramatically.
"Commander took critical emotional damage!"
Even Eugen laughed softly inside her Goliath.
"Oh dear."
"Our little teddy bear got overwhelmed."
Meanwhile—
Akagi aboard the Daedalus looked spiritually devastated.
"Fox ears…"
"…AND ten tails…"
Kaguya meanwhile looked completely pleased with herself while her tails swayed proudly behind her.
Then casually—
One of her floating cannons fired again.
BOOOOM.
The Hunter-class Rapture lost another chunk of armor in the background while she continued flirting like the battlefield didn't exist.